Jose Mourinho set for Real Madrid return after Florentino Perez re-elected | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho is poised for a sensational return to Real Madrid, with his appointment expected to be confirmed following Florentino Perez’s re-election as president at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Perez, who secured an eighth term after fending off challenger Enrique Riquelme, had made no secret of his desire to name Mourinho as head coach should he win the election. Reports indicate that the current Benfica boss has agreed a three-year deal to return to the club he previously managed between 2010 and 2013, replacing Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.

In a statement on the club’s official website, Perez affirmed his commitment to the club’s future success.

"We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles," he said. "I am still here and I am here to defend Real Madrid. We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup. We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the best stadium in the world.

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Jose Mourinho will be the next Real Madrid manager after Florentino Perez was re-elected as president of the club (Reuters)

“Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho. And rest assured, with me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members."

Perez first became Real president in 2000 and had renewed his mandate five times since 2009 by running unopposed. In the build-up to Sunday's vote, Perez promised to appoint Mourinho ⁠and said he would spend €150m on an unnamed player, to be revealed on Tuesday, a fee that would represent a club record.

He also said defenders Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries would be his first signings if elected.

Meanwhile, 63-year-old Mourinho secured LaLiga and the Copa del Rey during his initial tenure in the Spanish capital however, he has not won a domestic league title since leading Chelsea to the Premier League in the 2014-15 season.

His Benfica side remained unbeaten in the Primeira Liga last season but ultimately finished third, eight points adrift of Porto, after drawing 11 of their 34 matches.